Caesar Augustus Caesar Augustus example essay topic

Caesar Augustus Caesar Augustus took reign of the Roman Empire after the death of his uncle Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar's reign was looked down upon by the senate and Augustus took that into account and as a result he did not follow the way of governing his uncle chose. He learned that directly opposing the strong republican tradition in Rome would be very dangerous. So with this in consideration, Augustus transformed the Roman Republic into a different type of government.

He learned that through showing good moral character and giving people want they wanted, peace and a better civilized state could be achieved. Caesars reign was most successful because he had a good relationship with the senate and knew exactly what the people wanted, peace and prosperity. Unlike his uncle, who shaped the government to his liking, and gained resentment of many Roman senators. "Thine age, O Caesar, has brought back fertile crops to the fields and has restored to our own Jupiter the military standards stripped from the proud columns of the Parthians, has closed Janus' temple freed of wars; has put reins on license overstepping righteous bounds; has wiped away our sins and revived the ancient virtues through which Latin name and the might of Italy waxed great, and the fame and majesty of our empire were spread from the sun's bed in the west to the east As long as Caesar is the guardian of the state, neither civil dissension nor violence shall banish peace, nor wrath that forges swords and brings misery to cities". (From Horace, Odes) This quote is an example which shows us that Augustus was much respected and very successful in creating a better civilized state. He was thought of a God because of his accomplishments for the people and the government, in return they gave him the title of "father of his country".

The power of both the people and the senate was passed entirely in the hands of Augustus. Coins of an emperor were issued as a symbol of respect and accomplishment Roman coins were transmitters of political propaganda. One side showed the portrait of the emperor and the other side showed a recent victory or an important event. Caesar Augustus used these coins to show people what he did and what he had accomplished.

On one coin we see him wearing a wreath. Around the coin are words saying "Caesar Augustus Divi F Pater Patri e" meaning, Augustus Caesar, Son of God, Father of the Fatherland (pg. 49). Some people were to illiterate. He used these coins to depict the role he played, or the things he did, in order to allow them to understand and gain respect from his people. On the other coin we see him riding an animal on the top of an arch. Around the coin we see inscriptions saying "Q oud Via Mun Sunt" which means because the roads have been reinforced (pg. 49).

This coin represents a military victory. The arch, also being symbolic of such an accomplishment. The coins that he issued showed that Augustus was a very political emperor. He wanted to make people aware of his accomplishments so he could get the approval and respect he deserved. Augustus built and repaired many architectural buildings. As shown in this passage "In my sixth consulship I repaired eighty-two temples of the gods in the city, in accordance with a resolution of the senate, neglecting none which at that time required repair".

(From Augustus, Res Gestate Divi August 20) Here he tells of the hard work and determination he put into the state. One such architectural art would be that of the Arch of Augustus at Rimini. This Arch represents a strong empire, one in which Augustus ruled individually. Augustus was a successful emperor because he had good moral character. As what was said in the Sallust, "All our power is situated in the mind and the body. Of the mind we rather employ the government and of the body the service" this was exactly what Augustus did.

He cared about his citizens, being the ultimate patron, and took his role very seriously. Augustus brought upon armies while appointing other people to aide him in ruling Rome, even though he was the sole ruler. He built and repaired many architectural buildings and even used coins to illustrate to his illiterate people the role he played in their lives as emperor, ruler, and Father of his country. He transformed the Roman Republic into and aristocratic monarchy ruled by a sole individual. Augustus was the prince of peace to the Roman Empire and to his clientele.